Shockingly, the fantasy baseball season is almost halfway through. Many playoff pictures are being solidified in this chaotic, short season. Finally, Zach Davies is owned in the majority of leagues after another outstanding start on Saturday. Officially, he has graduated from being eligible in this waiver wire series. If you picked up Davies two weeks ago you are thanking yourself today. However, many players remain free agents that can impact your team immediately.
All eligible players are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week Five
Pitchers
Sixto Sanchez
The Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut Saturday night. Sixto Sanchez flashed his powerful 100 mph fastball and complimented it with a 92 mph changeup. Per MLB Pipeline, Sanchez is the Marlins top prospect and the fifth-highest RHP prospect in all of baseball. Owned in 22% of fantasy baseball leagues, the 22-year-old will lead this young Marlins rotation in the future. He limited his ERA to 2.58 in five years with multiple minor league teams. As long as he stays healthy he has a chance to become the best Marlins pitcher since the late Jose Fernandez.
Justus Sheffield
Sticking with young pitchers, Justus Sheffield is in his first, full year with the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old had a slow start to begin his season but has been on fire as of late. This is shown by his 14% ownership increase in the last week — now up to 22%. In his last three starts, Sheffield has only allowed two runs in 18 innings and has recorded 16 strikeouts. The Mariners’ upcoming schedule has Sheffield expected to start against many of the bottom ten offenses in the league.
Hitters
Clint Frazier
As long as Clint Frazier continues his everyday role in the outfield, he should be owned in every league. The injuries in the New York Yankees outfield has allowed Frazier more batting opportunities. Fantasy owners should be eager to own any shares of the power-hitting Yankees offense that they can get. He is still available in approximately two-thirds of leagues. In limited action, Frazier is batting .333 and slugging .667 showing off some power of his own.
Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland has shined this year on a slumping Boston Red Sox team. He has hit for average and power this year in 53 at-bats. He has a .340 batting average and a .792 slugging percentage. While leading the team in those previous categories, he also leads with seven home runs and 18 RBI. The lefty hitter is owned in only 35% of leagues. He is receiving consistent at-bats in the middle of the Red Sox order.
Deeper League Options
Brad Miller
Owned in just 6% of leagues, Brad Miller has been playing surprisingly well since the St. Louis Cardinals got back in action. It’s a short sample size, but in 23 at-bats Miller has a .348 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBI. He has cemented himself in the starting lineup with multiple players still sidelined from testing positive for COVID-19. He has the ability to continue to offer consistent hitting for average despite not having much power.
MacKenzie Gore
This pick is precautionary and only if you have an extra roster spot available. Owned in 10% of leagues, MacKenzie Gore is the top pitching prospect in all of baseball. He has yet to make his major league debut for the San Diego Padres, but it seems like he’s due in a year with most prospects getting a shot. The southpaw is on the 60-man roster at the team’s alternative site. Gore posted a 1.69 ERA in over 100 innings last year. He is worth the stash in any league if you are able to roster him. He can be a difference-maker in the playoffs if he is called up.
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